Thursday, September 29, 2016

Japan to face new typhoon threat as Tropical Storm Chaba strengthens

By , Senior Meteorologist
September 29,2016; 7:04PM,EDT
 
 
Tropical Storm Chaba will continue to strengthen and could take aim at mainland Japan and its Ryukyu Islands next week.
Latest indications point toward Chaba tracking farther north than Typhoon Megi, but interests in northern Taiwan and eastern China are urged to continue to stay alert if the future typhoon tracks farther west than anticipated.
"Confidence remains moderate to high that Chaba will curve towards Japan and low for eastern China and northern Taiwan," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
Residents in South Korea should also stay on alert for potential impacts next week if Chaba tracks far enough to the north before curving into Japan.

Chaba is on track to become a typhoon early this weekend and strengthen into the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane by the end of Sunday, according to Roys.
After pushing away from Guam, Chaba will be over the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean into this weekend. The danger to shipping interests will gradually become more severe as damaging winds, torrential rain and seas increase around Chaba's center.
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"Chaba should even reach the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane at some point on Monday," Roys said.
Chaba may be bearing down on the Ryukyu Islands at that time.
One scenario for Chaba plows the future typhoon through the Ryukyu Islands around Monday before curving into mainland Japan.

Latest indications put the Okinawa and Amami islands at greatest risk for enduring damaging winds, flooding rain and an inundating surf from Chaba on Monday.
Residents should review what preparations would need to be completed to protect lives and property and heed any evacuation orders that get issued.
Chaba then threatens to curve into Kyushu or the far northern Ryukyu Islands before tracking eastward across southern Japan into midweek.

This is a live loop of Chaba. (NOAA/Satellite)
It is possible that Chaba will curve to the north then northeast fast enough for damaging winds and flooding rain to either bypass or only graze the Ryukyu Islands and mainland Japan.
Only if Chaba is slower to take that turn would it target the southernmost Ryukyu Islands and northern Taiwan before taking aim at Japan or the Korean Peninsula next week.
The latest typhoon threat comes after Taiwan and eastern China are beginning to cleanup after the devastation from deadly Megi.

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